Sunrise and Sunset Photography

Two sunsets are never the same at Paynesville. The colours in this one are the most beautiful i’ve ever witnessed.

You’d think we’d all get bored of the suns cycle. It rises and sets every single day at the same times and in the same places. But for some reason, this repetitious event has never been seen as part of the ‘daily routine’. For billions of years the sun has been following its cycle, but today we still see a rise or a set as a special occasion that holds a unique, romantic beauty. Why is this?

It’s simple. Every sunrise and sunset really is unique. In photography, capturing the sun can profess so many different moods and emotions, depending on the time, the weather and the location. So how do you get the best out of sunset photography? There are a few things you’ll need to look out for.

In this tutorial I’ll be focusing mainly on sunset photography. If it’s sunrises you’re interested in, the same still applies.

The Timing

The problem most people have with sunset photography is that their timing and mindset is all wrong. They think that the nicest sunsets occur while the sun is still present and lighting up the sky. However, you’ll tend to capture the best photo with the most unique colours around 10 minutes after the sun has set, when it is below the horizon.

The science behind this is very simple, but remember, it doesn’t always apply. If you take your photograph while the sun is edging over the horizon, you’ll find it to be overpowering and wash out most of the colour in your photograph. Once it’s below the horizon though, the colours will still be projected up into the sky and you’ll be able to capture a well balanced photo without an overpowering sun in it.

Beautiful sunset photos can still be taken with the sun present, but they require a little bit more luck or imagination. You could always try positioning the sun behind an object to create a silhouette, or you might even like to experiment with Starburst.

Capturing a sunset at its best takes time and a bit of dedication. If you’re serious, you should allow yourself around half an hour to take your photo. Get out there and be set up 15 minutes before it sets, and allow for 15 minutes afterwards. Giving yourself this wide time span is a step I cannot stress enough. Throughout this half an hour you’ll find the sky will change numerous times, presenting many different photographic opportunities.

Think it’s time to pack up? Mmmm, give it another few minutes. I find it’s best to wait until it’s properly dark. As the sun gets lower and lower, the colors become darker and more mysterious. Only pack up when you’re sure the sun’s got nothing more to give.

The Camera

Most cameras these days have the ability to capture the sun at its best. As a result, it doesn’t matter if you have a basic point and shoot or a professional SLR. You will however benefit greatly from having the ability to manipulate your exposure and your white balance.

The Settings

As I stated above, it’s nice to be able to manipulate your exposure and white balance. Giving yourself a good half an hour to photograph your sunset will allow you to experiment with the cameras settings to give you the best lighting and feel.
Shoot your photo using a variety of exposures. A well lit shot may be nice, but you’d be amazed at the different feels you can create using a darker exposure.
Be creative with your white balance. Use it to manipulate the colours of the scene and generate a completely different aura.

The Equipment

Make sure you’ve got yourself a tripod or another method to steady your camera. As you will be photographing while the sun is out of the frame and it’s dark, using a tripod is essential to keep your camera steady for that long exposure shot.

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That’s all there really is to it. All it takes is an imagination and time. Annoyingly, I tend to find that even after a half hour shoot, there is only one or two main photographs at best that I’m actually happy with. Sometimes the shoot can be a dud and you won’t end up with a stand-out photograph at all. Just remember that in 12 hours, there will be another opportunity, and likewise another in 12 hours again.
The great thing is though, every stand-out photo I’ve captured from my sunset shoots possesses a unique quality that differentiates itself from every other sunset shoot I’ve taken, which really makes the shoot worthwhile.

Below are a few of my favorite sunrise and sunset shots which possess their own unique qualities.
Good luck!